Jazz Win Streak Can Reach 10 Games Against Mavericks
Jan 27, 2021, 1:23 PM | Updated: 1:31 pm
Utah Jazz defenders Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles contest a shot from Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz can see their win streak extend to 10 games as they face the Dallas Mavericks tonight in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz streak reached nine consecutive wins after a come from behind victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The Jazz trailed by 13 points at halftime but outscored the Knicks 62-35 en route to a 108-94 victory.
The Jazz will be without guard Donovan Mitchell against the Mavericks after the guard entered the NBA’s concussion protocol after a series of blows to the head against New York.
Donovan Mitchell will miss the @utahjazz game against the @dallasmavs after suffering concussion-like symptoms this morning. #TakeNote https://t.co/jWtTz9k713
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2021
Jazz Own NBA’s Longest Win Streak
The Jazz nine-game win streak is the longest by any team in the NBA this season and has elevated to the second seed in the Western Conference standings.
The team sits just one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the win column for the top record in the NBA.
The streak has been fueled by the Jazz hot three-point shooting and elite defensive performances that give the team a level of dominance rarely seen in the NBA.
The Jazz have had just one game decided by single digits during their nine-game win streak, the average margin of victory is 17 points, and the team is +153 in the last 36 quarters.
The @utahjazz injury report tonight against the @dallasmavs.
1/27 Jazz Injury Report
OUT – Donovan Mitchell (concussion protocol)
OUT – Trent Forrest (health and safety protocols)
OUT – Elijah Hughes (left ankle sprain)
QUESTIONABLE – Derrick Favors (low back soreness)
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 27, 2021
The team’s 118.6 offensive rating leads the NBA over the last nine games while their 103.2 defensive rating ranks third in the league. The team’s net rating of 15.4 leads the league by a significant margin, nearly four points ahead of the second-place Lakers.
The loss of Mitchell is significant, as the guard leads the Jazz in scoring this season at 23.4 points per game. The guard also adds 4.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on a nightly basis.
However, the team found success last night even as Mitchell struggled through a poor shooting night. The Jazz beat the knicks despite the guard’s 3-15 shooting performance leading to just nine points.
Mavericks Finally Healthy
The Mavericks travel to Utah with a healthier roster than they have had in weeks. Forwards Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dwight Powell are expected to suit up against the Jazz.
Finney-Smith and Richardson have missed the last nine games for the Mavericks after entering the NBA’s health and safety protocol. Richardson has missed the last eight games.
Mavs could get three key guys back tomorrow. Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell all upgraded to questionable. They’ve been working out and sat on back row of bench last night.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 26, 2021
The Mavericks own the tenth-best record in the West at 8-9 and are just 5-5 in their last 10 games.
Dallas has lost consecutive games heading into their two-game series with the Jazz with home losses to the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
The two teams will play again on Friday night in Salt Lake City.
Key Matchup
Tuesday’s key matchup will pair Jazz forward Royce O’Neale and Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. With Mitchell out of the lineup, the Jazz could opt to start any of Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles, or Miye Oni in his absence, though O’Neale will likely be tasked with defending Doncic.
The guard is averaging a staggering 27.3 points, 9.9 assists, and 9.8 rebounds despite the Mavericks early struggles. However, Doncic has seen a drop in efficiency shooting 45 percent from the floor but just 28 percent from the three-point line.
The @utahJazz beat the @nyknicks 108-94.
◾ Royce O'Neale's Career Night
◾ Jazz survive bad Mitchell Night
◾ Conley and Gobert's brilliance#TakeNote https://t.co/mFVJ4q4nlU— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2021
O’Neale meanwhile is enjoying the best season of his career, including one of the best games of his career on Tuesday night.
The Jazz forward is shooting 45 percent from the three-point line for the Jazz and scored a career-high 20 points on 7-12 shooting against the Knicks.
Broadcast
The Jazz and Mavericks will tip-off game one of their two-game series at 7 pm MST. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.
